System under pressure

IT'S the big strain - the growing number of posteriors putting pressure on the region's sewerage system.

The situation has dumped a huge load of responsibility on council, which will need to come up with than $260 million to upgrade sewerage treatment plants at Bucasia and Bakers Creek as well as associated infrastructure.

They're not flushing away the fact that the Bucasia plant is set to reach capacity in 2019, while the Bakers Creek facility would reach its use by date four to five years later.

Council lifted the lid on Mackay's 2011-2056 strategic plan for sewerage at Wednesday's council meeting.

Water and waste services portfolio councillor Deirdre Comerford said the project was significant, involving major upgrades to Mackay's two sewerage treatment plants as well as pump stations.

Cr Comerford said council would push for State and Federal funds to help raise the estimated $261.8 million needed for the project.

"It is a significant amount of money and you do have to raise that from your rates and charges and loans and look to your reserves and developer contributions," she said.

"It's a big ask but a necessary one. You hope in the years ahead, with whatever state governments and federal governments we have, they actually look at communities like ours, which are under pressure from growth and the infrastructure systems we need, because at the moment we don't get any support."

Growth in the Mirani and Marian area has also put a significant strain on its sewerage infrastructure, prompting council to come up with a 30-year strategic sewerage plan.

Cr Comerford said an upgrade of sewerage infrastructure in that area would cost somewhere between $17.5 million and $24 million.

Toilet tales

About 86,000 people receive reticulated sewerage services in the Mackay area

The Bucasia sewerage treatment plant can take 4.9 mega litres of waste each day - the equivalent of effluent from 24,500 people

The Bakers Creek plant can take 22.3 mega litres of waste each day - the equivalent of effluent from 111,500 people

The Bucasia plant would reach capacity by 2019 and the Bakers Creek about four to five years later